Habitats & Wildlife

Hover over the blue buttons to find out about the wildlife that these habitats support

hover

fluid

Riffles

Shallow, fast-flowing water over gravels or cobbles, disturbing the water’s surface. Ideal for fish feeding areas and act as shelter from predators. Salmon, lamprey and trout use the well oxygenated water as egg nest sites.

bottom

1

#0f0f0f

Glides

Deep, smooth waters with a medium flow over sand or gravel. These areas support less biodiversity than riffles and predominantly plant life.

Wet areas with no flow during normal flow conditions. Provide a respite area for fish, breading habitat for dragonflies and nursery areas for lampreys. Backwaters are refreshed during high flows and storms.

left

1

#0f0f0f

Aquatic Macrophyte Beds

Complex, physical structures that trap sediment, slow flow and increase nutrient and oxygen levels. They provide food, shelter and spawning sites to many river fish, invertebrates and amphibians.

Declining environments due to lack of management and alternative land use (agriculture/development), but have significant conservation value due to food supply and the abundance of biodiversity supported (particularly insects).

right

1

#0f0f0f

Rapids & Cascades

Gradients create high water speeds and torrential conditions. Large boulders provide shelter to invertebrates and fish.

bottom

1

#0f0f0f

Rivers are globally important for wildlife, supporting rich and varied animal and plant communities with a wide variety of shelter, breeding and feeding opportunities. The dynamics of a river are determined by the underlying geology that supports it. In East Anglia we are blessed with a number of chalk streams that support unique wildlife and provide crystal clear waters. Rivers are associated with many habitat types.